The children cried and
trembled as they lay in the arms of Mrs. Seagrave and Juno, who were
almost as much alarmed themselves.
"This is very awful," said Mr. Seagrave to Ready, for they had both
risen from their beds.
"It is indeed, sir; I never knew a more terrible storm than this."
"Merciful Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Seagrave.
As he spoke, they were both thrown back half-stunned; a crash of
thunder burst over the house, which shook everything in it; a
sulphurous smell pervaded the building, and soon afterwards, when they
recovered their feet, they perceived that the house was full of smoke,
and they heard the wailing of the women and the shrieks of the children
in the bed-places on the other side.
"God have mercy on us!" exclaimed Ready, who was the first to recover
himself, and who now attempted to ascertain the injury which had been
done: "the lightning has struck us, and I fear that the house is on
fire somewhere."
"My wife - my children!" exclaimed Mr. Seagrave; "are they all safe?"
"Yes, yes!" cried Mrs. Seagrave, "all safe; Tommy has come to me; but
where is Juno? Juno!"
Juno answered not. William darted to the other side of the house, and
found Juno lying on her side, motionless.
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